Windshield squeegee



May 1/1, 1937. C GULOTT 2,080,129

WINDSHIELD SQUEEGEE Filed Deo. 24, 1935 Ilm-ll@ V NVENTOR Patented May 11, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINDSHIELD SQUEEGEE Charles culotte, Glendale, Long Island, N. Y.

Application December 24, 1935, Serial No. 55,951 12 claims. (o1. 15-245) This invention relates to squeegees and more particularly to wind-shield wipers for automobiles.

One object of the invention is to provide animproved squeegee of molded or laminated rubber adapted to maintain even pressure along the Windshield.

Additional objects of the invention are to improve generally the simplicity and eciency of such devices and to provide a simple device of this kind which is durable, and reliable in operation, and economical to manufacture.

Still other objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds; and while herein l5 details of the invention are described in the specication and some of the claims, the invention is not limited to these, since'many and various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed in the broader claims.

The inventive features for the accomplishment of these and other objects are shown herein in connection with va wiper which briefly stated, includes a metal backing of U-shaped cross-section, and a wiper element having an elongated body portion held between the side members of said backing and provided with a pair of outer wiping strips projecting from said body portion, and an inner series of slightly spaced wiping 3 sections in the plane of the body portion and slightly spaced from the outer strips.

In the accompanying drawing showing, by way of example, several of many possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing one form of the invention; I

Fig. 2 shows a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig 1;

Fig. 3 shows a ysection taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 shows a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmental side elevation showing another form of the invention;

Fig. 6 shows a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Figs. 'I and 8 show in transverse section, the disposition of the wiping strips and sections during operation of the species of Figs. 1 and 5;

Fig. 9 is a fragmental side elevation showing still another form of the invention; and

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line lll- Ill of Fig. 9.

My improved wiper squeegee R is mounted in a thin metal backing B of U-shaped cross-section having inwardly pressed longitudinal ribs 6` disposed along the inner face of the side members 6 parallel and near to the yoke part of the backing. The squeegee R of Figs. 1 to 4 is a molded rubber wiper element having an elongated body portion 5 held between said ribs 6 and between side members 6', from end to end thereof and provided with a Wider portion 5 forming a shoulder adjacent to the edge faces of said side members 6'.)

Said widened portion is formed with a pair of outer depending continuous strips 2 parallel to and offset from the main. plane of said body portion and molded integral with the body portion 5, and an inner series of depending strip sections l, in the plane of the body portion and molded integral with the body portion and slightly spaced from the outer strips 2, forming inner grooves 4. The inner strip sections 'l form therebetween slots 8 extending substantially perpendicularly to said body. The slots 8 are about as wide as the thickness of the inner strip sections andare spaced apart a dist-ance about equal to the width of the strips and form independently yieldable sections.

Said sections 'l have their free edge faces 3 substantially in the same plane with the free edges of the strips 2 perpendicular to said main plane, whereby when the strips and sections are flexed by movement across a wind-shield, corner edges of the strips and sections will simultaneously engage the wind-shield, as in. Fig. 7. The independent flexing of said sections 1 serve to press the outer strips 2 along uneven surfaces of glass, ice or dirt, and to prevent rolling over of the edges and bouncing, and to hold the outer sections lightly and evenly on the surface to increase the cleaning eiiiciency.

A bracket C secured to the backing by the pin P is. formed for connection with various kinds of wiper arms, whereby the squeegee is reciprocated.

In the species of Figs. 5, 6 and 8, there are integrally formed longitudinal integral ribs 9 on the outer face of each strip 2 near and parallel to the free edge thereof, said integral ribs 9 being of such width and distance from said free edge of the strip that the lower free corner of the rib will engage the windshield, during the aforementioned flexing movement, simultaneously with said corner edges.

The species of Figs. 9 and 10 comprises a metal backing B of U-shaped cross-section having inwardly pressed longitudinal ribs 6 along the inner face of the side members as in Figs. 1 to 8; but the elongated body portion of the rubber squeegee R held between said ribs and between side members from end to end thereof comprises part of the inner strip l2 and outer strips I0 and is provided with intermediate rubber strips Il between and thinner inner and outer spacing strips.

Said outer and inner strips l0 and l2 project a distance below said intermediate strips Il parallel to the main plane of said backing; and the inner strip l2 is thicker than the outer strips I0 and has transverse slots 8 in the projecting part, forming an inner series of depending strip sections in the plane of the backing and integral with the body portion of the inner strip and held slightly spaced from the outer strips by said intermediate strips.

The operation and advantages of the species of Figs. 8 to 10 are similar to that of Figs. 1 to 4.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a thin metal backing of U- shaped cross-section having inwardly pressed longitudinal ribs disposed along the inner face of the side members parallel and near to the yoke part of the backing; a molded wiper element having an elongated body portion held between said ribs and between side members from end tov end thereof and provided with a wider portion forming a shoulder adjacent to the edge faces of said side members; said wider portion being formed with a pair of outer depending continuous strips parallel to and offset from the main plane of said body portion and molded integral with the body portion, and an inner series ofdepending strip sections, in the plane of the body portion and molded integral with the body portion and slightly spaced from the outer strips; the inner strip sections forming therebetween slots extending substantially perpendicularly to said body, the slots being about the thickness of the inner strip sections ande spaced aparta distance about equal to the width of the strips and forming independently yieldable sections; said strips and sections having their free edge faces substantially in the same plane perpendicular to said main plane, whereby when the strips and sections are flexed by movement across a wind-shield, corner edges of the strips and sections will simultaneously engage the wind-shield.

2. A wiper squeegee comprising a molded rubber wiper element having an elongated body portion provided with a wider portion at an edge of said body portion; said wider portion being formed with a pair of outer strips substantially parallel to and offset from the main plane of said body portion and integral with the body portion, and an inner series of slightly longitudinally spaced strip sections disposedl in the plane of the body portion and molded integral with the body portion and slightly spaced from the outer strips; said strips and sections having their free edge faces substantially in the same plane perpendicular to said main plane, whereby when the strips and sections are flexed by movement across a wind-shield, corner edgesof the strips and sections will simultaneously engage the wind-shield.

3. In combination, a metal backing of U-shaped cross-section having inwardly pressed longitudinal ribs along the inner face of the. side members; a rubber squeegee comprising an elongated body portion held between said ribs and between side members from end to end thereof and comprising an inner strip, outer strips and intermediate strips between the inner and outer strips; said outer and inner strips depending or projecting a distance below said intermediate strips parallel to the main plane of said backing; the inner strip having transverse slots in the projecting part forming an inner series of depending strip sections, in the plane of the backing and integral with the body portion of the inner strip and held slightly spaced from the outer strips by said intermediate strips.

4. A wiper including in combination an elongated cross sectionally U-shaped metal backing, said backing having in the legs thereof opposed ribs, and a molded rubber member having a narrow body portion disposed between said legs from end to end thereof, said portion being grippingly engaged by said ribs, a wide portion integral with the rst portion and extending laterally therefrom; said latter portion including two outer strips having parallel wiping edge faces, said strips having their outer surfaces substantially ush with the outer surfaces of said legs, and a central strip also integral with said shoulders and consisting of multiplelongitudinally spaced sections, said sections having wiping edge faces disposed on the plane of the rst faces and there being lateral spaces between said sections and the outer strips.

5. A Windshield wiper comprising in combination an elongated sheet metal backing plate of U-shaped cross section having inwardly projecting ribs in its opposite legs, a wiper element of molded rubber having a body portion held between said legs, the ribs being grippingly engaged in the rubber, said portion having extending from the opposite sides thereof outer strips which are provided with longitudinal edge faces, each of said strips having on its outer surface adjacent the edge face an angular rib, and an inner strip slightly spaced from the outer strips and having a longitudinal face normally disposed on the plane of the rst faces, said inner strip being extended from the longitudinal center of said body portion and having. perpendicular slots therein which divide the strip into sections, whereby when said strips are xed by movement across the windshield the corner edges of the three strips at their faces may simultaneously engage the windshield, the corner edge of the rib of the leading outer strip being also engageable against said windshield on each stroke of the wiper.

6. A molded rubber wiper element comprising an elongated body, continuous portions integral with said body and extending therefrom, said portions providing a longitudinal passage therebetween, and having thereon parallel wiping faces; and discontinuous portions also integral with said body and having wiping faces disposed between the first faces and parallel therewith, said respective portions being substantially transversely continuous at their faces when the element is in wiping position, and there being vertical spaces between the discontinuous portions, said vertical spacesrbeing open at their outer ends and being in communication with the longitudinal passage.

'7. A windshield wiper comprising in combination a sheet metal backing of U-shaped cross section, an elongated molded rubber element including laterally wide shoulders, a body portion extending from said shoulders and being held between said legs, said shoulders having portions thereof disposed closely against the longitudinal edges of said legs, parallel outer strips integral with said shoulders and having wiping edge faces thereon, said strips having their outer surfaces disposed substantially in the planes of the outer surfaces of said legs, and an inner strip also integral with said shoulders and consisting of longitudinally spaced sections, said sections being independently yieldable and having Wiper edge faces disposed on the plane of the i'lrst faces, said sections being also spaced transversely from the outer strips, whereby during the wiping operation, as projections or ice particles are met by portions of the leading outer strip, said latter portions and the adjoining inner sections may yield locally thereat.

8. A windshield Wiper blade comprising in combination an elongated sheet metal holder of U- shaped cross section, a rubber squeegee having a body disposed in engaged relation between the legs of said holder, outer wiper strips extending from the opposite sides of said body throughout the length thereof, and an inner series of individually spaced strips extending from the longitudinal central line of said body, said inner strips being also spaced from said outer strips.

9. A windshield wiper blade comprising in combination an elongated sheet metal holder of U-shaped cross section, a squeegee of molded rubber having a body `portion disposed between the legs of said holder, opposed longitudinal ribs projecting inwardly from said legs and grippingly engaging said portion; parallel outer wiper strips extending, near the edge parts of said legs, from the opposite sides of said portion throughout the length thereof; and a series of inner, short wiper strips extending from the longitudinal central line of said portion and being parallel with and spaced from said outer strips, said inner strips being also longitudinally spaced apart.

10. A molded rubber wiper element comprising an elongated body, transversely spaced plural outer wiper strips extending from said body throughout the length thereof, and a dentated inner wiper strip, the teeth of said inner strip being longitudinally spaced apart and being also spaced laterally from the rst mentioned strips.

11. A one-piece molded rubber wiper element comprising an elongated body portion, plural laterally spaced strips extending from said portion throughout the length thereof, said strips having parallel wiping edge faces, and a dentated strip extending from said portion between the rst strips and being laterally spaced therefrom, the teeth of the second mentioned strip being longitudinally spaced apart and having wiping edge faces disposed on the plane of the first mentioned faces.

l2. In combination, an elongate sheet metal backing of U-shaped cross section, a rubber squeegee having an elongate body grippingly held between the legs of the backing throughout the length thereof, the squeegee having flexible side portions formed as strips including parallel wiping edges, and a central strip laterally spaced from the side strips and having slots therein which extend vertically from its edge to said body, the edge of the central strip being disposed on the plane of the first edges, the rubber of the respective strips being continuous with that of the body, said body having rubber portions disposed opposite the aforesaid lateral spaces.

CHARLES GULOTTA. 

